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Maple Leafs trade rumours: Is Dougie Hamilton a potential option?
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Photo credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Dylan Nazareth
Jan 14, 2026, 12:40 ESTUpdated: Jan 14, 2026, 12:37 EST
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With Chris Tanev potentially out long-term, the Toronto Maple Leafs could be looking to add veteran presence on the blue line heading towards this year’s trade deadline.
On Tuesday, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun named New Jersey Devils defenceman Dougie Hamilton as a potential option for the Maple Leafs. Hamilton has floated into the trade market since he was scratched recently by the Devils, and it looks like they may now be trying to move him, LeBrun reports:
Everyone involved is still focused on finding a trade for Dougie Hamilton as a resolution. Just not a sense that anything is imminent at this point. The fact that he’s got two more years on his deal at $9 million a year is a complicating factor.
Carolina and Toronto are among the potential fits. Let me stress potential. Of course, he was with the Hurricanes and played well there. But it would really depend in terms of whether Carolina would go down that road and in terms of what New Jersey would take back in exchange. And with the Leafs, I think there’s no question they’re not taking him at $9 million a year, the Devils would have to retain. So we’ll see where it goes. They hope to get this done before the Olympic break.
The NHL’s Olympic roster freeze begins on February 4th and runs until the 22nd, meaning the Devils have less than three weeks if they want this business done sooner rather than later.
Hamilton saw his best offensive production a few years ago with 74 points in 82 games in the 2022-23 season, but has since seen a decline, and missed most of the 2023-24 season with a left pectoral injury. Still, he’s a reliable defender, brings size at 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, and can eat big minutes for Toronto, averaging 21:37 a night so far this season. At 32 years old, he brings veteran presence, but is still likely to have a few good years of hockey left in him.
So what could the Maple Leafs give up in return? Toronto doesn’t have a ton to offer right now in terms of prospects or draft capital. A young defender like Ben Danford could be attractive for the Devils, but would be a big loss for Toronto’s prospect pool. There are also cap complications, with Toronto currently holding around $3.4 million in cap space. That could improve slightly if they place Tanev’s $4.5 million salary on season-ending LTIR, but it’s not clear where they’re at with him right now.
Give us your thoughts, should the Maple Leafs make a run at Hamilton and what would you be willing to give up?

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